21 



BlacTistone (L. R. Daniels). — The season is good, cool with- 

 out extremes, and plenty of rain. Pastures and mowings promise 

 well and fall seeding shows finely. Bloom light on Baldwins, 

 other fruit trees about as usual. Tent caterpillars have made the 

 most trouble. Perhaps one-fourth of the fruit trees get sprayed 

 and it is increasing. There is no regular farm help and no good 

 help. Wages are about $20 per month with board and $1.25 per 

 day without. More potatoes than usual have been planted. 



MIDDLESEX COUNTY. 



Toivnsend (Geo. A. Wilder). — The season is more advanced 

 than usual. Pastures and mowings are above the normal and fall 

 seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom is heavier for an off year 

 than previously for some years. Tent caterpillars are doing some 

 damage. Spraying is very little practised, but is increasing. 

 Farm help is plenty and 60 per cent is good help. Wages are 

 about $20 per month with board and $35 without. There is no 

 marked change in the acreage. of farm crops, but peaches and 

 small fruits are on the increase. 



Dxmstahle (A. J. Gilson). — The season is fully up to the 

 normal. Pastures and mowings look well and fall seeding gener- 

 ally wintered well. The apple bloom was small, but other fruit 

 trees blossomed well. Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. 

 Very little spraying is done and it is not increasing. The supply 

 of farm help is about equal to the demand and is good as a whole. 

 Wages are about $20 per month with board and $1.25 to $1,50 

 per day without. There is no change to note in the aci'eage of 

 farm crops. 



BilUrica (J. N. Pardee). — The season is favorable, though 

 somewhat late. Pastures and mowings were never better. Every- 

 thing but apples bloomed about an average ; peaches are especially 

 promising. Tent caterpillars and currant worms are doing some 

 damage. Spraying is quite generally practised and is on the 

 increase. Fewer men are hired than formerly and farmers are 

 getting their pick of the best men. Wages are from $10 to $22 

 per month with board. The acreage of hoed crops is probably 

 less than usual. No new enterprises. 



Wohurn (W. H. Bartlett). — The season is about a week 

 late and the ground is wet and cold. Pastures and mowings 

 promise well, but some fall seeding winter-killed. Summer and 

 fall apples had a full bloom, winter ones light, pears and peaches 

 very full, currants never better. Tent caterpillars and currant 

 worms are doing some damage. The practice of spraying is on 



